Generic Name:

All Brands

Droxia

Hydrea

SECTION 1 of 5

Highlights for hydroxyurea

Oral capsule

1

Hydroxyurea is used to treat myeloid leukemia and head and
neck cancer. It prevents cancer cells from growing. In people with sickle cell
disease, this drug changes the shape of red blood cells. This can help prevent
sickle cell crises.

2

This drug comes in the form of a capsule you take by mouth.

3

Hydroxyurea can reduce your body’s ability to produce
certain blood cells. This could decrease your body’s ability to fight off
infection, make normal blood clots, or use oxygen. This is called bone marrow
suppression.

4

Hydroxyurea may harm the fetuses of women who are pregnant and take the drug. Women
of childbearing age who take this drug should use effective birth control
during treatment and for at least 30 days after stopping this drug. Men who use
this drug should use effective birth control during treatment and for at least
1 year after stopping this drug.

5

The
more common side effects
of this drug include stomach pain, constipation, diarrhea, nausea, vomiting,
and loss of appetite.

FDA Warning

Droxia has a black box warning. (These are only general warnings for
Hydrea and the generic form.) This is the most serious warning from the Food
and Drug Administration (FDA). A black box warning alerts doctors and patients
about drug effects that may be dangerous.

Suppressed immune
system warning. Droxia
can reduce your body’s ability to make certain blood cells. This can decrease
your ability to fight off infection. This drug can also reduce your body’s
ability to make normal blood clots or use oxygen. This is called bone marrow
suppression. Your
doctor will monitor you closely for side effects from bone marrow suppression.
These side effects include fever, infection, bruising, or bleeding.

Cancer risk warning. Droxia can cause leukemia and skin cancer.
However, this is rare. If you take this drug, use sunscreen and other
protection from the sun and follow up with your doctor for regular skin checks.

Harm to fetus

Hydroxyurea may harm the fetuses of women who
are pregnant and take the drug. Women of childbearing age who take this drug
should use effective birth control during treatment and for at least 30 days
after stopping this drug. Men who use this drug should use effective birth
control during treatment and for at least 1 year after stopping this drug.

Blood vessel damage

Hydroxyurea may cause damage to your blood vessels.
This has mostly occurred in people with cancer who were also taking interferon.

Radiation rash

If you have received radiation therapy in the past and
experienced a rash from it, taking Hydrea or the generic form of Hydrea may make
the rash come back.

What is hydroxyurea?

Hydroxyurea
is a prescription drug. It comes as a capsule you take by mouth. It is
available as the brand-name drugs Hydrea and Droxia. Hydrea is also available as a
generic drug. Droxia is not. Generic drugs usually cost
less. In some cases, they may not be available in every strength or form
as the brand-name version.

Hydroxyurea may be used as part of a
combination therapy. This means you may need to take it with other medications.

Why it's used

Hydroxyurea
is used to treat myeloid leukemia and head and neck cancers. It prevents cancer
cells from growing. In people with sickle cell disease, hydroxyurea changes the
shape of red blood cells to help prevent sickle cell crises.

How it works

Hydroxyurea
belongs to a class of drugs called antimetabolites. A class of drugs is a group
of medications that work in a similar way. These drugs are often used to treat
similar conditions.

How it works

Hydroxyurea
belongs to a class of drugs called antimetabolites. A class of drugs is a group
of medications that work in a similar way. These drugs are often used to treat
similar conditions.

In people with cancer, hydroxyurea acts as a substitute for some parts
that the cancer cells need to grow. Cancer cells take in hydroxyurea, which
stops the cancer cell from growing. Cancer cells grow more rapidly than normal
cells, so they are more affected by the drug. In patients with sickle cell
disease, this drug changes the shape of red blood cells. This makes it less
likely for sickle cell crises to occur.

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SECTION 2 of 5

hydroxyurea Side Effects

Oral capsule

More Common Side Effects

The more common side effects of hydroxyurea can include:

stomach pain

constipation

diarrhea

nausea

vomiting

loss of appetite

If these effects are
mild, they may go away within a few days or a couple of weeks. If they’re more
severe or don’t go away, talk to your doctor or pharmacist.

Serious Side Effects

Call your doctor right away if you have serious side effects. Call 9-1-1 if
your symptoms feel life-threatening or if you think you’re having a medical
emergency. Serious side effects and their symptoms can include the following:

Clinical Associate Professor, University of Illinois at Chicago College of Pharmacy

Hydroxyurea can cause dizziness and drowsiness during the first few
hours after you take it. These side effects are more likely to happen when you
start treatment or when your doctor increases your dose.

Disclaimer:
Our goal is to provide you with the most relevant and current information. However, because drugs affect each person differently, we cannot guarantee that this information includes all possible side effects. This information is not a substitute for medical advice. Always discuss possible side effects with a healthcare provider who knows your medical history.

SECTION 3 of 5

hydroxyurea May Interact with Other Medications

Oral capsule

Hydroxyurea can
interact with other medications, vitamins, or herbs you may be taking. An
interaction is when a substance changes the way a drug works. This can be
harmful or prevent the drug from working well.

To help avoid
interactions, your doctor should manage all of your medications carefully. Be
sure to tell your doctor about all medications, vitamins, or herbs you’re
taking. To find out how this drug might interact with something else you’re
taking, talk to your doctor or pharmacist.

Medications that might interact with this drug

Interactions that increase the risk of side effects

Didanosine and stavudine
(HIV Drugs). Taking these drugs with
hydroxyurea increases your risk of damage to your pancreas and liver. You also
have increased risk of nerve pain.

Disclaimer:
Our goal is to provide you with the most relevant and current information. However, because drugs interact differently in each person, we cannot guarantee that this information includes all possible interactions. This information is not a substitute for medical advice. Always speak with your healthcare provider about possible interactions with all prescription drugs, vitamins, herbs and supplements, and over-the-counter drugs that you are taking.

Hydroxyurea warnings

Pregnant women

Hydroxyurea is a category D pregnancy drug. That means
two things:

Research in
humans has shown adverse effects to the fetus when the mother takes the drug.

This drug
should only be used during pregnancy in serious cases where it's needed to
treat a dangerous condition in the mother.

Women of childbearing age who take this drug
should use effective birth control during treatment and for at least 6 months after stopping this drug. Men who use this drug should use effective birth
control during treatment and for at least 1 year after stopping the drug. If
you are a woman and you become pregnant while taking this drug, contact your
doctor immediately.

Women who are breast-feeding

Hydroxyurea may pass into breast milk and may cause side effects in a
child who is breastfed. You should stop breastfeeding when you are taking
hydroxyurea.

Talk to your doctor if you
breastfeed your child.

For seniors

If you are older
than 65 years, your body may be more sensitive to this drug and your doctor may
have you take a lowered dose.

For children

This medication has not been studied in children. It should not be used
in people younger than 18 years.

When to call the doctor

Call your doctor right away if you become pregnant while taking this drug.

Allergies

Hydroxyurea can cause a severe allergic reaction. Symptoms can include:

trouble breathing

swelling of your
throat or tongue

If you have an allergic reaction, call your doctor or local poison
control center right away. If your symptoms are severe, call 9-1-1 or go to the
nearest emergency room.

Don’t
take this drug again if you’ve ever had an allergic reaction to it.
Taking it again could be fatal (cause death).

SECTION 4 of 5

How to Take hydroxyurea (Dosage)

Oral capsule

All possible dosages and drug forms may not be included
here. Your dosage, drug form, and how often you take the drug will depend on:

your
age

the
condition being treated

how
severe your condition is

other
medical conditions you have

how
you react to the first dose

What are you taking this medication for?

Myeloid leukemia

Generic: hydroxyurea

Form: Oral capsule

Strengths: 500 mg

Brand: Hydrea

Form: Oral capsule

Strengths: 500 mg

Brand: Droxia

Form: Oral capsule

Strengths: 200 mg, 300 mg, 400 mg

Adult dosage (ages 18 years and older)

Hydrea and generic hydroxyurea:
The initial dose is 15 mg per kilogram of body weight, taken once per day.

Droxia is
not used for this condition.

Child dosage (ages 0–17 years)

It has not been confirmed that hydroxyurea is safe and effective for use in people younger than 18 years.

Special considerations

People with kidney
disease:

Hydrea and generic:
The initial dose is 7.5 mg per kilogram of body weight, taken once per day.

Head and neck cancer

Generic: hydroxyurea

Form: Oral capsule

Strengths: 500 mg

Brand: Hydrea

Form: Oral capsule

Strengths: 500 mg

Brand: Droxia

Form: Oral capsule

Strengths: 200 mg, 300 mg, 400 mg

Adult dosage (ages 18 years and older)

Hydrea and generic hydroxyurea:
The initial dose is 15 mg per kilogram of body weight, taken once per day.

Droxia is
not used for this condition.

Child dosage (ages 0–17 years)

It has not been confirmed that hydroxyurea is safe and effective for use in people younger than 18 years.

Special considerations

People with kidney
disease:

Hydrea and generic:
The initial dose is 7.5 mg per kilogram of body weight, taken once per day.

Sickle cell crisis prevention

Generic: hydroxyurea

Form: Oral capsule

Strengths: 500 mg

Brand: Hydrea

Form: Oral capsule

Strengths: 500 mg

Brand: Droxia

Form: Oral capsule

Strengths: 200 mg, 300 mg, 400 mg

Adult dosage (ages 18 years and older)

Droxia:
The initial dose is 15 mg per kilogram of body weight, taken once per day.

Hydrea and generic hydroxyurea is
not used for this condition.

Child dosage (ages 0–17 years)

It has not been confirmed that hydroxyurea is safe and effective for use in people younger than 18 years.

Special considerations

People with kidney
disease:

Droxia:
The initial dose is 7.5 mg per kilogram of body weight, taken once per day.

Disclaimer:
Our goal is to provide you with the most relevant and current information. However, because drugs affect each person differently, we cannot guarantee that this list includes all possible dosages. This information is not a substitute for medical advice. Always to speak with your doctor or pharmacist about dosages that are right for you.

Clinical Associate Professor, University of Illinois at Chicago College of Pharmacy

If you stop taking the drug suddenly or don’t take it at all

Your cancer cells
may divide more rapidly or your sickle cells may change back to their sickle
shape. These effects can lead to more serious tumors in people with cancer or more
sickle cell crises in people with sickle cell disease.

If you miss doses or don’t take the drug on schedule

Your medication may not work as well or may stop working
completely. For this drug to work well, a certain amount needs to be in your
body at all times.

If you take too much

You could have dangerous levels of the drug in your body.
Symptoms of an overdose of this drug can include:

mouth sores

rash

swelling or scaling of your hands
and feet

darkening of your skin

If you think you’ve taken too much of this drug, call your
doctor or local poison control center. If your symptoms are severe, call 9-1-1
or go to the nearest emergency room right away.

What to do if you miss a dose

Take your dose as soon as you
remember. But if you remember just a few hours before your next scheduled dose,
take only one dose. Never try to catch up by taking two doses at once. This
could result in dangerous side effects.

How to tell if the drug is working

You may not feel any different. If you are taking this drug
for cancer, your doctor may check your number of cancer cells. If you are
taking this drug for sickle cell disease, your doctor may check the shape of
your red blood cells. This information will help your doctor tell if this drug
is working.

Store this drug carefully

Keep the hydroxyurea generic at room
temperature between 68°F and 77°F (20°C and 25°C). Keep it away from light.

Keep Hydrea and Droxia at 77°F (20°C).
They can be kept between 59ºF and 86ºF (15ºC and 30ºC) for short periods. Keep them
away from light.

Don’t store this
medication in moist or damp areas, such as bathrooms.

A prescription for this medication is refillable

You should not need a new prescription for this medication to be
refilled. Your doctor will write the number of refills authorized on your
prescription.

Self-management

Hydroxyurea can irritate or damage your skin if they come in contact. Wash
your hands before and after handling the capsules or the bottle.

Clinical monitoring

Your doctor
will monitor your blood cells. They will check either the number of cancer
cells in your body or the shape of your red blood cells. Your doctor may do a
complete blood cell count to measure the number of the different types of cells
in your blood.

Sun sensitivity

Hydroxyurea can make your skin more sensitive to the
sun. This increases your risk of skin cancer. Avoid the sun if you can. If you
can’t, be sure to wear protective clothing and apply sunscreen.

Hidden costs

You may need to purchase:

Protective gloves
to reduce contact between your skin and hydroxyurea

Another medication called folic acid, which
corrects a potential side effect of hydroxyurea

Insurance

Many insurance companies require a prior authorization for this drug.
This means your doctor will need to get approval from your insurance company
before your insurance company will pay for the prescription.

SECTION 5 of 5

How Much Does hydroxyurea Cost?

Oral capsule

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Lowest price for hydroxyurea

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$22.33

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$25.55

Kroger Pharmacy

$27.37

These prices represent the lowest priced national pharmacies for hydroxyurea on GoodRx. They may be lower than your insurance.

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These prices represent the lowest priced national pharmacies for hydroxyurea on GoodRx. They may be lower than your insurance.

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Disclaimer:
Healthline has made every effort to make certain that all information is factually correct, comprehensive, and up-to-date. However, this article should not be used as a substitute for the knowledge and expertise of a licensed healthcare professional. You should always consult your doctor or other healthcare professional before taking any medication. The drug information contained herein is subject to change and is not intended to cover all possible uses, directions, precautions, warnings, drug interactions, allergic reactions, or adverse effects. The absence of warnings or other information for a given drug does not indicate that the drug or drug combination is safe, effective, or appropriate for all patients or all specific uses.

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